Insights from the 2025 Annual Farmer Organisation Exchange Visit

Introduction

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), in partnership with The Nippon Foundation, recently wrapped up the 2025 Annual Farmer Organisation (FO) Exchange Visit. This year’s event was held at the Assakio Rice Value Chain Development Centre (RVCDC) located in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. The initiative aims to enhance the skills and networks of farmer organisation leaders, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaborative growth.

Gathering of Agricultural Leaders

The exchange visit attracted 55 leaders from various farmer organisations alongside 17 field staff representing the Nippon Foundation-supported states of Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Benue. The gathering served as a comprehensive learning experience, aimed at reinforcing the capacities of farmer groups through direct exposure to successful models facilitated by SAA’s Market-Oriented Agriculture (MOA) approach.

Emphasis on Learning and Collaboration

For over a decade, this exchange visit has been an essential component of SAA’s extension services, enabling emerging farmer groups to learn from established, successful organisations. Participants spent productive two-day sessions brainstorming ideas and sharing real-world experiences. The focus was on proven strategies that successful groups use to overcome challenges, diversify their activities, and generate sustainable profits.

This collaborative framework also aims to foster teamwork and build networks among participants, helping emerging groups grow into more impactful organisations.

Spotlight on the Host: Apashi Woza Cooperative

This year, the Apashi Woza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited served as the host. Chosen for its notable development under SAA support, this cooperative is linked to the MoFA-funded Assakio RVCDC, a comprehensive hub for the entire rice value chain. The centre excels in all aspects—from production and storage to processing, packaging, and marketing—making it a noteworthy model for visiting groups.

With well-equipped facilities and robust collective marketing structures, the Apashi Woza Cooperative stands out as a beacon of successful agricultural practices. Its strategic location near other promising groups, such as the Mu Yi Noma Women Farmers MPCS, also adds to its appeal as a learning destination.

Insights from SAA Leadership

Opening the event, Dr. Godwin Atser, the Nigeria Country Director of SAA, represented by Mr. Jonathan Taknan Yassah, Program Officer for MOA, underlined the visit’s objective of highlighting the vast opportunities available through SAA’s MOA approach. He pointed out that the Assakio RVCDC has emerged as one of the most successful intervention sites across Africa, generating significant income and employment.

Dr. Atser encouraged participants to attentively observe the governance and enterprise models that have placed the Apashi Woza Cooperative on a solid path toward sustainability.

A Dynamic Learning Environment

The agenda included thorough reviews of farmer organisation activities from the various participating states, as well as presentations showcasing success stories. A guided tour of the Assakio RVCDC allowed participants to engage with processors, marketers, and cooperative leaders firsthand. They also visited the nearby Assakio produce market, interacting with market leaders and further enriching their understanding of the rice value chain’s dynamics in the region.

Voices from the Participants

Mrs. Salome Sabo, the SAA Nasarawa State Coordinator, expressed pride in the advancement of farmer organisations within the state. She reiterated the importance of Assakio RVCDC as a learning hub, urging participants to take the lessons learned back to their own communities.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the transformative nature of the experience. Alice Dahiru, representing the Mirmu Women Farmers MPCS from Gombe State, called the visit an “eye-opening” experience. She noted that the insights gained on collective marketing and enterprise management will significantly influence her cooperative’s operations.

Likewise, Umar Dilyari from Jigawa State remarked on the visit’s hands-on approach, emphasizing its impact on changing his perspective towards treating farmer organisations as business entities. He expressed motivation to enhance record-keeping, diversification, and teamwork among his members.

Mza Tyom from Benue State highlighted the structural integrity of the RVCDC as a complete model that integrates every aspect of rice production, expressing hope that this model could greatly enhance profitability in his region.

Conclusion of the Event

The 2025 exchange visit concluded on a high note, with participants eager to implement the insights and strategies gained during their time at the Assakio RVCDC. They left with renewed enthusiasm and a commitment to strengthen their individual organisations’ activities and growth trajectories.